EliteXC on CBS: Lawler/Smith II

July 24, 2008

EliteXC’s debut show on CBS at the end of May was so successful that less than two months later, it returns to network television on Saturday night.

The card is highlighted by a rematch between champion Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith for the middleweight belt after the first fight ended in a no contest when Smith was inadvertently poked in the eye midway through the third round. Up to that point, it was nothing but two boxers going at it on the feet back and forth with Lawler having slightly the upper hand.

The rematch figures to be more of the same which means it should be a heck of a fight. Lawler continues to be very patient in his recent fights, which I thought hurt him against Smith. Twice he had Smith in trouble and seemed to lack that killer instinct to end the fight. I think that’s the only thing that saved Smith and things won’t be the same this time around. I’ll take Lawler by KO in the second round to retain the title.

EliteXC will also crown a welterweight champion as prized 175-pound fighter Jake Shields gets his shot at gold against Nick Thompson. Stockton’s own Nick Diaz takes on Thomas “Wildman” Denny and Shayna Baszler will fight Cristiane Cyborg to round out the CBS portion of the show.

Showtime will televise a lead-in to the CBS show that will have prized heavyweight Antonio Silva square off with Justin Eilers to see who will be EliteXC’s first heavyweight champion. Brazilian Rafael Feijao, who was impressive in his destruction of Wayne Cole in Hawaii last month, makes a quick return to the ring as he faces Travais Galbraith.

Both broadcasts will be tape delayed in Hawaii with the Showtime event at 5 p.m. and the CBS show beginning at 8.

Photo’s from Thursday’s press conference courtesy Tom Casino, EiteXC: